A shocking update to the Town of Campbell Situation this week. Detective Spencer from Monroe County Sheriff’s department called and said that Campbell Police Chief Tim Kelemen confessed to harassment/internet stalking/identity theft regarding my complaint filed to La Crosse P.D. in January when someone signed me up for 15 or so internet accounts ranging from a gay profile on Match.com to Healthcare.com.

The city of La Crosse Revitalization commission held it’s first public hearing tonight at UWL Cartwright Center. It was standing room only. Of the hundred plus people there, I think only 2 or 3 were in favor of the proposal.

Council-woman Sara Sullivan led off by saying that she doesn’t consider herself the chair of the committee, but because she is a woman she took notes. (What?) The actual City Government SAYS she is the chair of the committee so I guess she was embarrassed of the output from the commission or at least was trying to dodge all the criticism.

I would say at least 40 people spoke, most saying that there is no parking problem where they live, and that they didn’t think they should be punished along with the rest of the city just because a few people don’t like strangers parking in front of their house. Sullivan actually said that to justify a “problem”, that people are concerned when they see “unfamiliar” vehicles on their street.

Councilman Formanek commented while introducing Sullivan that although this was simply a proposal, we can and WILL get it worked out. That seemed like an ominous tone. That even though the public doesn’t want any of it, he was sure that we need it and that they would get it passed.

Parking in La Crosse has become a contentious topic, and for good reason. Last Friday Sara Sullivan, Chairman of the Neighborhood Revitalization committee announced a proposal for a major overhaul of parking regulations in La Crosse, Some of which include (according to a WXOW report):

[-All city streets will be 2-hr parking between 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. Fines for parking violations will be increased from $12.00 to $30.00 for a tier one violation.

-Two (2) parking permits per residential parcel will be issued free of charge. Permits will be valid only for the city block upon which that parcel is located. A third (3rd) permit will be offered at a cost of $50.00/year. No parcel shall be issued more than three (3) permits.]

This is an outrage, our elected officials are out of control and have been for quite some time. We need to take a stand! Show up to the listed meetings and tell them enough is enough.

Synopsis of what you need to look for if you decide to observe voting procedures and closing procedures at a polling location on Election Day. Also applies to observing in the clerk’s office during in-person absentee balloting.

These are the rules for citizens wishing to observe the voting process in licensed residential facilities, such as nursing homes, where the residents cannot get to the polls, so the polls are brought to them.

In some communities, absentee ballots are counted at a separate location referred to as the “central count”. If you wish to observe at a central count location, this guide gives you the rules to be followed.

When and Where Can You Observe?

1. At the polling place on Election Day (including the Primary)

2. At the polling place after the polls close

3. Absentee ballot count locations (ask your municipal clerk)

4. During absentee voting in a clerk’s office prior to the Election

5. At nursing homes, retirement homes and residential facilities prior to the Election

6. In your clerk’s office the Friday after the election to observe the counting of late absentee ballots and perfected provisional ballots.

You may sign up with your state political party to start working as an observer, or you may choose any other organization sponsoring an observer program. If there is no Observer program organized in your county, feel free to observe on your own at any polling place in the state.

Poll-worker Project

Submit your name to your County Party Chairman to work at a polling locations.

Poll-workers are responsible for the actual conduct of our elections and they count the ballots. When Wisconsin Voter ID goes into full effect, the poll workers decide who gets a ballot. Wisconsin state law requires that the two majority political parties (Republican and Democrat) accept the responsibility to provide names of poll-worker volunteers to the local clerks for a two-year election cycle. A poll-worker actually works for their community, is paid a small salary, and will receive training from the local election clerk. You can also work as an unpaid volunteer. Many communities also offer flexible scheduling if you are unable to work an entire day.

These volunteers are considered the first-choice nominees to be selected. If you wish to work at a poll, call your County Party Chairman and ask to have your name submitted. If you wish to volunteer on your own, call your local election clerk’s office to submit your name as a non-partisan poll worker.

We encourage you to volunteer at any time as there is a great need for additional poll-workers because those who previously volunteered may, for one reason or another, be unable to fulfill their two-year commitment. Your name would then be on the list for consideration as the need arises.

It is extremely important that you volunteer to be a poll-worker. Our current poll-workers across the state have an average age of 72. It will be necessary to recruit more young poll-workers to keep our polling places staffed. As a poll-worker, you will be working on the front lines in the election as an actual election official, and you will be perfectly placed to ensure that our elections are clean, fair and transparent.

Please also consider becoming a Special Voting Deputy (SVD). SVD’s are trained poll workers who go out into the community prior to Election Day and conduct actual elections in nursing homes, retirement homes, and community-based residential facilities. Becoming an SVD ensures that these elections are conducted properly and are great examples of fairness and transparency. SVD’s perform a valuable service to our most vulnerable voters – those who can not get to the polls to vote but must have the polls brought to them.